James Hutton - Glancing backwards into a time . . .

Catch up with a panel discussion recorded at Edinburgh's Fruitmarket last month marking Earth Day. Chaired by Susanna 'glancing backwards into a time that far predates us' is a lively conversation celebrating two exhibitions: Ilana Halperin's What Is Us and What Is Earth (Fruitmarket) and Earth Matters (Inverleith House Gallery, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh) and the life and work of James Hutton, the Edinburgh-born geologist and farmer who was born 300 years ago this year. 

Artists Ilana Halperin and Louise Bennetts, writer and performer Karine Polwart, and soil scientist Colin Campbell (Chief Executive of the James Hutton Institute) discuss Hutton’s legacy in the context of contemporary creative practice. Ilana's exhibition (closing 17th May) touches upon Hutton's radical rethinking about the creation of the Earth and Earth Matters brings together the work of over 30 artists to delve into the ground beneath our feet. Louise talks about her textile work which was inspired by drawings by Hutton's friend and contemporary John Clerk of Eldin. While Karine Polwart inspired by Hutton's visit to Siccar Point, a rocky promontory on the Berwickshire east coast, sings her beautiful ballad, Still As Your Sleeping. And Colin shares his deep knowledge of Hutton's life and the theory of unconformity which provided evidence that Earth was far older than previously imagined.

Ilana Halperin was born in New York and lives Glasgow. Her work explores the relationship between geology and daily life. She combines fieldwork in diverse locations – on volcanoes in Hawaii, caves in France, geothermal springs in Japan, and in museums, archives and laboratories, with an active studio-based practice.

Louise Bennetts is an Edinburgh-based fashion and textiles designer, researcher and maker. She works independently across varied projects, with a particular interest in alternative textile systems, applications, and sustainable material innovation.

Karine Polwart is a writer, musician, and storyteller whose work evokes a richness of place, hidden histories, scientific enquiry and folklore. Karine is currently Dr Gavin Wallace Fellow for 2025–26 via the Fruitmarket, Edinburgh and Creative Scotland. Her research and writing under the brief ‘Attached to Land’ is focused on the coastal edge lands and stone ridges of of the Forth Valley, East Lothian and Borders.

Colin Campbell is Chief Executive of the James Hutton Institute, which leads research on land and sustainable management. His science focuses on soil ecology. The institute reflects the enduring spirit of Enlightenment science and an appreciation of Hutton’s

intellectual legacy: rigorous observation, critical reasoning, and a commitment to applying knowledge for the public good.

Susanna Beaumont is a curator and creative produced based in Edinburgh. Projects include the touring exhibition, Ash Rise for Scottish Furniture Makers Association; guest curator for Craft Scotland's presentation for Collect, London and Design for our Times at V&A Dundee. For the last year she has worked with Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh on Earth Matters. She launched DES Talks podcast in 2025. 

Image James Hutton, 1776 by Sir Henry Raeburn. National Galleries of Scotland. 

Thanks to Edinburgh Geological Society for their generous support and to Fruitmarket and Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.